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Need to Know Now
Release of MAPC's 2024 Annual Report
We were thrilled to release our 2024 Annual Report on Tuesday, February 25!
2024 was a year of regional success and collaboration, and included accomplishments such as MAPC staff members either presenting or moderating at more than 20 conferences, and also being interviewed more than 35 times for news stories. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to take a look at the 2024 Annual Report!
Access MAPC's 2024 Annual Report
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Take MAPC's Survey for the Greater Boston Climate Action Plan
MAPC is developing the Greater Boston Climate Action Plan, which will be a roadmap for our region to equitably and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten years. We want to hear from you through this survey to learn from you about what is most important to you!
The survey deadline is: March 21, 2025. Access the survey now.
The survey findings will shape actions that our municipalities and region can take to reduce emissions and improve quality of life.
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Lower Mystic Project Call for Artists - Deadline April 4, 2025
MAPC and the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) are seeking artists to develop creative projects as part of a Summer 2025 Cool Communications extreme heat communications campaign serving Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere, and Winthrop. The project aims to develop creative engagement methods to supplement traditional messaging on heat risk through art and creative storytelling. The goal is to reach residents disproportionately impacted by extreme heat.
Learn More and Apply
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State's Unlocking Housing Production Commission Releases Report
Established in January 2024, the Unlocking Housing Production Commission (UHPC) was tasked with creating recommendations for how to increase housing supply and lower housing costs across the Commonwealth. On February 21, 2025, the Commission released their report, "Building for Tomorrow", which includes more than fifty recommendations.
Read the Announcement Press Release
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Snow Removal and Accessibility in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) recently released new guidance focused on snow removal and accessibility. It includes information such as disability rights laws regarding snow removal, what to do if you are not able to remove snow due to a disability, and more.
Visit the Snow Removal and Accessibility Webpage
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MAPC Newsletters - Stay in the Know in 2025
Did you know that in addition to this monthly newsletter, MAPC has three other monthly newsletters? A Climate Newsletter, Arts and Culture Bulletin, and an Events Email. You can learn more about each on our newsletters webpage, including how to subscribe to each one.
Go to MAPC's Newsletters Webpage
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Remote, Hybrid, In-person Public Meetings - Action Request
Since the height of COVID-19, government entities have had the flexibility to host remote, hybrid, and in-person public meetings. However, the extension of that flexibility will end March 31, 2025.
We are requesting that you please contact your legislators and ask them to support making these provisions permanent as proposed in HD.2863/SD.1850 filed by Representative Gregoire and Senator Oliveira, and Governor Healey's Municipal Empowerment Act (MEA). MAPC has created a template letter to help you in doing so (access the template letter).
The flexibility for public bodies to be able to hold hybrid, remote, and in-person meetings is an essential tool for democratic government participation. MAPC would like to see a permanent, flexible solution that allows municipalities to host meetings in the format that works best for them.
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MAPC's Government Affairs Team:
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Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Electric Solicitation Grant | |
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Application Deadline
April 7, 2025
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Grant Authority
MA Department of Environmental Protection
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Description
This grant opportunity from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is focused on providing entities (public and private) with funding to support diesel emissions reduction projects. This includes funding opportunities for school buses, transit buses, and medium-duty or heavy-duty trucks.
To learn more about this grant opportunity, to determine if you are eligible to apply for it, and to access the application, please visit the grant webpage.
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FY26 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program | |
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Application Deadline
April 11, 2025 (3:00 p.m.)
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Grant Authority
MA Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT)
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Description
The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), is currently accepting online only applications for the FY26 Massachusetts 250 Grant Program.
The purpose of this grant is to award funding to support marketing and programs focused on American Revolution storytelling, with a goal of increasing travel and tourism to Massachusetts.
Learn more about this grant program, including eligibility, and how to apply on the grant's webpage.
| MassDEP Reduce, Reuse, Repair Micro-Grant | |
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Application Deadline
May 15, 2025 (5:00 p.m.)
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Grant Authority
MA Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
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Note: The grant application will be posted on April 15, 2025 on the grant's webpage.
Description
This grant will award eligible projects between $3,000 to $10,000 for projects focused on short-term (equal or less than one year) waste reduction. Eligible entities include: businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, regional authorities, and schools/colleges. Visit the grant's webpage for full information and details.
MassDEP will be hosting a virtual grant information session on April 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Register to join this session.
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Technical Assistance
If your municipality is interested in applying for grant funding but lacks staff capacity, MAPC may be able to help. Grant Assistance Program (GAP) funding could allow you to seek assistance from knowledgeable Regional Planning Agency (RPA) staff, which can also lead to more competitive regional and multi-municipal applications, increasing the likelihood of receiving funding. For inquiries or questions, contact Gloria Huangpu (ghuangpu@mapc.org).
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*New* MAPC Tools, Resources, and Opportunities to Participate | |
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E-cargo Bikes: Strategies for Municipal Delivery Transition
Electric cargo bikes – e-cargo bikes – can provide an alternative form of delivery that is cleaner, safer, and faster. E-cargo bikes are electric bikes that have compartments or attachments made to carry people or goods.
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This new resource identifies strategies that municipalities can employ to support the transition from traditional delivery vehicles to e-cargo bikes.
Go to the E-Cargo Bikes Resource
Written by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in conjunction with the City of Boston’s Transportation Department. Funding was provided through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's (MassCEC) Accelerating Clean Transportation for All (ACT4All) Grant. MAPC collaborated with municipal staff, e-commerce companies, transportation advocates, and other stakeholders to develop this resource.
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We encourage you to continuously check out the employment page on our website for any upcoming positions. | |
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Lynn’s Cuevas: A leader in regional DEI
Publication Date: March 7, 2025 | Source: Lynn Daily Item
“Cuevas was recently honored with the prestigious Mayor Theodore Mann Regional Leadership Award by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Cuevas, a Lynn native, received the award during MAPC’s Winter Council meeting on Wednesday.”
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State commission on housing production targets single-family zoning, other sweeping reforms
Publication Date: February 21, 2025 | Source: The Boston Globe
“What’s more, many parking minimums require developers to build more spaces than residents use. A 2023 study by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council found that some 40 percent of parking spaces in six communities surrounding Boston were empty during peak hours. Instead of building excess parking, the report said, that land could be used for housing.”
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Lawmakers urged to keep remote meetings
Publication Date: February 20, 2025 | Source: Boston.com
“In a letter to legislative leaders, a coalition of groups including the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Metropolitan Area Planning Council urged them to act on Gov. Maura Healey’s proposal that would require cities and towns to provide the option for officials and members of the public to attend meetings in person or remotely.”
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7 myths about the MBTA Communities Act, debunked by experts
Publication Date: February 14, 2025 | Source: Boston.com
“The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) tracks housing production throughout the Greater Boston area, [Emma] Battaglia added, and the city itself does a lot to add new units to the region. Between 2015 and 2023, Boston was responsible for permitting 48% of all the new units throughout the municipalities tracked by the MAPC...”
“However, an influx of multi-family housing in the coming years also won’t necessarily hurt a community, particularly in regards to school populations and traffic, Battaglia said.”
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Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events, and we encourage you to check our online events calendar often for new and updated event postings.
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Community Engagement Conversations | March Session: Building/Engaging Community Groups
March 20, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
In this session of the Community Engagement Conversations series, learn about the best ways to involve key stakeholders in decision-making processes and how to manage expectations from residents while leading impactful public participation work.
The Series:
The MAPC Community Engagement Team invites you to attend a series of Community Engagement Conversations between September 2024 through May 2025.
The once-a-month conversations will focus on different community engagement topics to support this work within your own community and introduce you to the services MAPC offers when you work with the MAPC Community Engagement Team.
You can learn more about each session of the series, and watch recordings of previous sessions by visiting the Community Engagement Conversations webpage.
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Webinar | Integrating ADUs in Historic Communities: Policy, History, and Practice (virtual)
March 25, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join the Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC) for a discussion on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in historic landscapes.
This session will explore the role of ADUs in historic communities, covering planning considerations, their historic presence, and examples of communities successfully integrating ADUs while maintaining historic character.
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MPO Corner: News from our partner in transportation planning
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is Boston’s regional transportation planning agency. MAPC is one of 22 voting MPO board members. Subscribe for updates and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X at @BostonRegionMPO.
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2025–29 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment 10 Out for Public Comment
Review and submit feedback on Amendment 10 to the 2025–29 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) by March 28.
Amendment Ten allocates more than $24 million in new transit funding across nine projects in FFY 2025 for the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, MBTA, and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. This funding was identified due to project readiness evaluations conducted through our ongoing development process for the next TIP for FFYs 2026–30. The MPO aims to release the draft FFYs 2026–30 TIP for public comment this April.
Review Amendment 10: bit.ly/25-29-TIP-10
Submit a comment: bostonmpo.org/contact/tip
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Data Manager
Transportation/Environmental Planner
Transportation Planner
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Upcoming MPO Meetings and Events:
Thursday, March 20 - Hybrid MPO Meeting
Thursday, April 3 - MPO Meeting
Public attendance and comments are welcome at all MPO meetings and events. Visit the MPO’s website for more information. Meeting dates and materials are available on the MPO meeting calendar. Submit questions and comments via the MPO’s feedback forms.
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Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe to receive MAPC Matters to your inbox every month. Visit the MAPC Newsletter Page to access all of our newsletters, and subscribe to those that interest you. |
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Your monthly MAPC newsletter. | |
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